Quality Root Canal Therapy in Poughkeepsie

Your natural teeth are composed of three parts: the outer layer of enamel you can see, followed by a secondary layer of dentin. Beneath it all, you can find the pulp, or the part we usually refer to as the “nerve.” When severe decay or a traumatic injury reaches this vulnerable area, the tooth is at risk of serious problems -- and extraction may be needed in the most severe cases. Dr. Larry Hamburg offers high quality root canal therapy in Poughkeepsie to rescue damaged teeth. Do you have an aching or damaged tooth? Don’t put off treatment for another day. Contact Hudson Valley Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment!

What Happens during a Root Canal Procedure?

A root canal (also known as endodontic treatment) is a procedure in which your dentist cleans out the interior of the tooth, reshapes the root canals, and fills the tooth with a biocompatible material known as gutta percha. A permanent filling or crown completes the procedure. Root canals performed at Hudson Valley Dental Arts are highly successful, helping patients enjoy a healthy, strong smile for years.

Root canal therapy is often performed over the course of two visits to our office to allow for full healing of the infection. If yours is, too, you will likely need to wear a temporary restoration in the time between appointments. Take care when eating with this temporary filling or crown, as it was not made to withstand excessive pressure. Try to limit chewing to the other side of your mouth until your tooth has been permanently restored.

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being very painful or a thing to dread, but there is really nothing to fear from a modern root canal. Dr. Hamburg performs the treatment under local anesthesia and also offers sedation dentistry to ensure you receive the most comfortable care possible. Most patients report that their root canal procedure wasn’t painful at all -- especially compared to the original ache of the decayed or injured tooth.

Signs You Need a Root Canal

It’s never a good sign when you have an aching tooth, and if it’s not treated properly, the problem could advance so much that extraction of the tooth is required. Root canal therapy rescues teeth to help you keep your natural smile intact. Visit your dentist as soon as you recognize you have an issue to prevent the decay or injury from worsening. Some of the warning signs you may need a root canal procedure include…

A toothache that does not go away after several days

A gray or black tooth

An injured tooth where the pulp is exposed

A tooth that is sensitive to heat, cold, sweets, or pressure

A pimple-like bump on the gum beneath the tooth

A foul odor emerging from the tooth

After Your Root Canal

Your dentist will provide you with advice for recovering from root canal therapy as comfortably and quickly as possible. Avoid strenuous activity and maintain a soft foods diet until discomfort allows you to resume eating normally. Use an ice pack in the first 36 hours following your procedure to minimize swelling, and take any medications we have prescribed (like antibiotics or pain reliever) as directed. Contact our office if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after several days.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you have an aching, troublesome tooth? If so, root canal therapy can help you enjoy full smile health once again. Contact our office to request an appointment today!